Event Link: https://www.gizhiigin.org

FEE: FREE to attend gallery space.

Ceremony Blankets

An Exhibition by Rick Kagigebi
2024 McKnight Fiber Artist Fellowship Exhibition

February 21 – August 21, 2025
Opening Reception: March 18, 2025
Gizhiigin Arts Incubator
701 E Jefferson Ave
Mahnomen, MN 56557

Rick Kagigebi (Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe) is a blanket maker whose appliquéd mural blankets are created as ceremonial gifts. Every aspect of his process—from sketching to fabric selection, sewing, and tying—carries deep storytelling significance.

Event Link: https://www.prairiewetlands.org

FEE: NO FEE

The Friends of the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center are excited to again sponsor a prairie-themed photography contest! Thank you to all who participated in the previous years.

Nature photography is one of the many enriching activities available on our public lands. Photography is inexpensive, fun, and easy to do. In celebration of the plentiful opportunities to find and capture the beauty of the prairie, the contest is open to all amateur photographers.

Photos will be grouped into one of four categories: Prairie Wildlife, Prairie Plant Life, Prairie Scenic Views and Recreation, and Prairie Pollinators and Other Invertebrates. Individual photographers will be able to submit up to 5 prairie-themed photos taken on public lands in 2024/2025. The contest will accept submissions from September 14, 2024 through September 12, 2025. The Grand Prize Winner will receive a large metal print of their photo after it is displayed at the PWLC for one year! Other prizes will be available too, including gift certificates, award certificates, and more.

Please stay tuned for more announcements and visit our Facebook page for more information. We are anxious to see all the beautiful photographs captured on our region’s prairies!
Please visit our webpage for our entry form and contest rules, https://www.prairiewetlands.org/  Questions may be called in to our Friends phone line at (218) 998-4488 or email

Event Link: https://www.artsidc.org

Event Link:  Project412mn.org/Charley-Harper.

FEE: FREE to attend the exhibition.

A vibrant new art exhibition featuring the work of iconic American artist Charley Harper has arrived in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota thanks to a unique international collaboration with the Muséum de Toulouse in France in partnership with the Charley Harper Art Studio. 

 

Muséum de Toulouse —the second largest museum in France—contacted Project 412 after learning about its recent work bringing artist Thomas Dambo and the world’s largest permanent troll exhibition to the area. Impressed by the organization's commitment to engaging the community through art and nature, the Muséum de Toulouse offered Detroit Lakes the first stop on the international tour of their “Colors & Shapes – Nature as Seen by Charley Harper” exhibit.

 

The indoor-outdoor exhibit features over 50 reproductions of Charley Harper’s art throughout Detroit Lakes in three locations: 

Zone 1: Who Was Charley Harper?  / See 12 Works of Art at Ortenstone Gardens & Sculpture Park (28499 Randolph Rd)

 Zone 2: Charley Harper’s Unique Vision of Nature / See 27 Works of Art at the Becker County Museum (714 Summit Ave)

Zone 3: Charley Harper, Artist & Activist / See 13 Works of Art at the Washington Square Mall (808 Washington Ave)

 

The exhibits will remain open during each venue’s operating hours through September 15. This exhibition is free and open to the public - thanks to Project 412 Wave Makers.

 

“We’re thrilled to bring this visually striking display to Detroit Lakes and to continue showcasing internationally renowned art in our community,” said Amy Stearns, Executive Director for Project 412. “Charley Harper’s distinctive style and joyful celebration of nature align beautifully with our mission and our community’s creative spirit.”

 

For more information about the exhibition visit Project412mn.org/Charley-Harper.

Event Link: https://www.artofthelakes.org/clay-studio.html

FEE: $60/person / $48/person

Wednesday: June 4, July 2, or August 6
​6:30-9 pm
​Creative Arts Center

$60/person / $48/person
Early Bird offer ends 2 weeks before class date

For a unique and creative date night in Battle Lake, MN, consider a "Clay Date" where you and your partner or friend/s can learn to throw pottery on a wheel or engage in a hands-on clay sculpting experience. Fee includes clay, firing and glazing. No experience needed. Bring your favorite drink and a positive vibe for a memorable night! Work will be finished with your choice of glaze and ready for you to pick up in approximately 2 weeks. 18+

Things you need to know:
This is messy work, so wear clothing you don't mind getting dirty. We have aprons and towels available for use. Short nails are best for beginners working with clay on the wheel. We have nail clippers if you need to chop your claws. 

Event Link: https://www.therourke.org

FEE: FREE To attend Gallery

Queer Joy 2025

Fri Jun 6th - Sun Aug 10th

Queer Joy Opens This Weekend

The Rourke Art Gallery + Museum is thrilled to present Queer Joy, a group exhibition of LGBTQIA+ artists, juried by Tobias Zikmund, in celebration of Pride Month and FM Pride Week from 5 June to 10 August 2025.

All are welcome to join us for the public opening of the exhibit this weekend from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday 7 June in The Rourke Reading Room and Archives.

At 2 p.m., we’ll hear from Lydia Repnow, organizer behind Art Unbound, a recent mentorship, community building, and art-making program for queer teens held at The Rourke and Parachigo.

This event is free and open to public. Tea, coffee, and cookies will be provided

Duane-K.-Mickelson-Gallery-Exhibit

The Rourke Art Gallery + Museum, 521 Main Ave, Moorhead, MN 56560, USA 

Event Link: https://www.therourke.org

FEE: Tickets required for Opening Reception for June 18th and other museums day free to public.

Wednesday 18 June 2025

The 66th Midwestern Preview
at The Rourke Art Gallery + Museum
Tickets | Members $15, Non-Members $30
TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-PURCHASE AT THE MUSEUM and AT DOORS

Preview | Doors Open 5 p.m.

Celebration in the
M. Dorian Clemedtson Sculpture Court
with music from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Awards Ceremony 6:30 p.m.

The 65th Anniversary Dinner
at Rustica Eatery & Tavern
Limited Seating: Reservations Required
​Social 7 p.m.
Dinner Served 7:30 p.m.

$57.50 per person plus beverages
paid at Rustica Eatery & Tavern

DINNER MENU & RESERVATION FORM

Thursday 19 June 2025

The Midwestern Luncheon with Emily Dickinson
at The Rourke Art Gallery + Museum
Very Limited Seating: Reservations Required
Social Hour 11 a.m.
Luncheon Served 11:30 a.m.

$47.50 per person pre-paid within Reservation Form

LUNCHEON MENU & RESERVATION FORM

Event Link: https://www.artofthelakes.org/clay-studio.html

FEE: See available options

Ceramics Studio
has expanded hours beginning July 1.

Any member with prior experience / training in the CAC Ceramics Studio (classes count) can now gain use of its space whenever the gallery is open. This is workspace for artists capable in working independently. Here's how it works:

1. Purchase a Punch Card online.

2. Purchase clay online at least 1 day prior to your use. Your bag of clay will be labeled with your name and available on the studio shelf when you arrive.

3. Check in at the Gallery desk and the gallery sitter will punch your card and ask you to leave your Driver's License in a sealed envelope in exchange for the key to the CAC door. 

4. Follow the rules and guidelines posted in the studio. Expectations are that all the tools and your workspace will be clean before you leave. Be sure to lock the door and return the key before the gallery closes.

Summer Gallery Hours:
Mon-Thurs: 10-5, Fri-Sat 10-8, Sun 10-3 pm 

CAC Open Studio Hours: Wednesday 5-8 pm

Important: All AOTL members MUST check in at the gallery before they use the Ceramic Studio.

Adults ages 18+ only.

Event Link: https://www.kaddatzgalleries.org/current-exhibitions.html

FEE: Free to Attend the Gallery and reception on July 10th.

NAOMI RAMONA SCHLIESMAN:
HEILUNG SAAÁM (HEALING MEDICINE)

On View at in the Charles Beck Gallery July 8 - August 16, 2025

Opening Reception: 5-7PM Thursday, July 10, 2025
This event is free to attend and open to the public.

​Exhibition Statement (in her own words):This new body of work reflects a deeply personal journey—one of healing, connection, and transformation through art. It tells the story of how I have used creative practice as a tool for personal healing, both for myself and in relationship with my child. Rooted in the belief that healing is multi-sensory and multifaceted, these works explore how we can use our senses—touch, sound, vibration, color, and spatial awareness—to reestablish a connection with ourselves, our bodies, and our environments.
Drawing from both Western and Eastern understandings of medicine, this installation considers the role of art as a form of care and restoration. I am interested in how we nurture the body—not only through what we consume physically, but through the environments we create and inhabit. In this work, healing becomes a sensory conversation between the self and the space: art is the medium, and the body is both the receiver and the responder.
I create immersive installations that explore the interplay of material, scale, and perception. Using a vibrant palette and a diverse mix of materials—wood, plaster, fiber, and paint—I build tactile environments that play with contrast and contradiction: hard and soft, domestic and institutional, playful and contemplative. These material tensions become metaphors for emotional and physical states, inviting the viewer into a space where meaning shifts depending on perspective and experience.
My goal is to create a space that is both nurturing and provocative—a place where viewers feel compelled to touch, to feel, to pause. Color becomes a bridge between the aesthetic and the emotional; texture becomes a point of entry into deeper contemplation. Through these works, I invite others to consider how they care for their own bodies, how they create spaces of healing in their lives, and how art can act as both a mirror and a balm.
This body of work is not just an installation—it is an offering. A space for curiosity, comfort, reflection, and ultimately, connection.


About the Artist:
Naomi RaMona Schliesman is an award-winning interdisciplinary artist with over 20 years of experience of exhibiting her work in New York, Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Pittsburgh, Brooklyn, Seattle, and throughout the Midwest. With a deep-rooted passion for sculpture, mixed media, and community engagement, she holds an MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2009) and a BFA with an emphasis in sculpture from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Schliesman has been recognized with prestigious fellowships from Ragdale and Kimmel Hardening Nelson Center for the Arts and was awarded 2nd place in the Miami University Young Sculptors Competition for the William and Dorothy Yeck Award. She was also a LEAP finalist for the Society of Contemporary Craft Award. Her commitment to art as a catalyst for community engagement led to her selection by Smart Growth America, Forecast Public Art, and West Central Initiative to develop a reusable community engagement kit, integrating both virtual and physical tools to benefit West Central Minnesota.

A passionate advocate for mentorship and storytelling through art, Schliesman was one of two Artist Organizers leading a youth mentorship project in Otter Tail County. This initiative resulted in Return to Normal? COVID Diaries from Local Youth, a multimedia exhibition funded by the CDC Foundation in partnership with Springboard for the Arts, Otter Tail County Historical Society, and Otter Tail County Public Health Department.

Her artistic journey extends internationally, having traveled to Italy, Scotland, Ireland, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Belize to study art movements and participate in prestigious residencies, including Vermont Studio Center, Kimmel Hardening Nelson Center for the Arts, Ragdale, The Traveling Museum, and Hospitalfield Arts.
In addition to her own practice, Schliesman is deeply committed to arts education and professional development. She taught 2D and 3D Design and served as Gallery Director for the School of Arts at Minnesota State University Moorhead (2011–2013). From 2013 to 2020, she was the Artist Development Director for rural programming at Springboard for the Arts in Fergus Falls, MN, where she managed the Hinge Arts at the Kirkbride residency program, led Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists workshops, facilitated artist development panels, and provided career consultations for artists across the United States.

Currently, Schliesman resides in rural Minnesota, where she maintains an active studio practice and continues her freelance work. She is a contracted Artist Career Consultant and Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists facilitator for Springboard for the Arts, a teaching artist for Kaddatz Galleries, and the Gallery Curator at Lake Region Legion Arts Council.

Through her extensive collaborations with artists and organizations nationwide, Schliesman remains dedicated to fostering creative storytelling, community engagement, and producing her work in her studio practice.

Naomi RaMona Schliesman is a fiscal year 2025 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.​​

Event Link: https://www.artofthelakes.org/youth-classes.html

FEE: 6 classes for $50.
​July 8 : Explore the magic of words
July 21: Use q-tips and paint to create a painting just like George Seurat
July 22: Draw and paint a sea turtle with oil pastels and watercolor
July 28: Put on your party hat and learn how to make fancy sandwiches and fruit cups. Fun for both boys and girls
​July 29: Expand your drawing skills into the world of 3D
July 30: Learn about the history and culture of the piñata and make one to take home!

Event Link: https://www.emceramics.studio/art-project-605-main

FEE: FREE to attend.

Art Project 605, in downtown Detroit Lakes, presents Shared Visions, an exhibition of recent paintings and works on paper by three lakes-area artists, Kent Estey, Jennifer Paulsrud, and Jennie Ward.

Event Link: https://www.henninglandmark.org/workshops

FEE: $20 includes all the supplies.

Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/16j2gDJfkj/

FEE: FREE and Open to the Public

Lake Region Arts Council (LRAC) is pleased to announce the opening of the 2025 Guest Juror Exhibition, juried by esteemed artist and cultural organizer Nancy Ariza. The exhibition will be on view at the LRAC Main Gallery from July 14 through September 16, 2025, with a closing reception on Tuesday, September 16, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. This event is free and open to the public.

This annual exhibition is a highlight of LRAC’s gallery season, showcasing the creative breadth and talent of regional artists. Each year, a guest juror is invited to review submissions from artists working in all disciplines. For the 2025 exhibition, Ariza selected 28 works from a competitive pool of 102 entries, resulting in a vibrant and compelling mixed media show that includes two-dimensional and three-dimensional work, as well as bold explorations of color, texture, and form.

Naomi RaMona Schliesman, LRAC Gallery Curator, shares:

“The Guest Juror Exhibition is always very popular with regional artists, and we receive over 100 submissions each year. Every Guest Juror brings their own talent, aesthetic, and professional eye when jurying the work. It transforms our gallery space and creates a buzz with our visitors. We invite established artists to select the very best from our regional talent, and it’s consistently one of the strongest mixed media exhibitions we present.”

About the Guest Juror – Nancy Ariza

Nancy Ariza is a printmaker, educator, and arts and cultural organizer with over a decade of experience designing and leading arts programming in museums and nonprofit organizations across Minnesota. In 2024, she founded Amilado Press, a collaborative print studio based in Richfield, MN, focused on publishing, artist residencies, and arts education.

In addition to her work at Amilado Press, Ariza serves on the Leadership Council of Serpentina Arts, supporting Latinx artists across Minnesota, and is a board member of the Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center. She holds an MA in Education from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, specializing in culturally responsive teaching, and earned a BA in Art History and a BFA in Printmaking from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Exhibiting Artists:

Katie Muzquiz (Detroit Lakes, MN), Thom Tammaro (Moorhead, MN), Marie Merten (Alexandria, MN), Mary Erickson (Menahga, MN), Loretta Cantieri (Moorhead, MN), Kim Baird (Moorhead, MN), Tricia Coulson (Rochert, MN), Annette DuBord (Moorhead, MN), Laura VonBank (Moorhead, MN), Linda Beilke (Detroit Lakes, MN), Alyssa Christoffers (Moorhead, MN), John Shaw (Battle Lake, MN), Carmen Bruhn (Detroit Lakes, MN), Lrez (Perham, MN), John Beaudine (Moorhead, MN), Nancy X. Valentine (Battle Lake, MN), Katy J. Olson (Underwood, MN), Dennis Krull (Moorhead, MN), Torri Hanna (Fergus Falls, MN), and Maggie Peterson (Detroit Lakes, MN).

Gallery Hours:
Monday – Thursday | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Closed Friday – Sunday
Please call or email in advance to ensure the gallery is open on the day of your visit.
Contact: 1-800-262-2787 or 218-739-5780 | Email: LRAC4@LRACgrants.org

“This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Lake Region Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, with additional support from the McKnight Foundation.”

Event Link: https://lrac4.org/call-for-artists

FEE: FREE to Apply!

“ART of Toys”

Exhibition Dates: Monday, October 7th – Tuesday, December 16th, 2025

Call for artists Monday, July 21st - Monday, August 18, 2025

https://lrac4.org/call-for-artists to apply

Reception Tuesday, October 7, 2025 - 5:30-7pm – Artist Talk 6pm

Toys are a part of our lives at a very young age and help us to use our imagination! You can build with toys, create with toys, play with others and be inspired by toys. We ask artists, “how toys have inspired you, and how they “played” a role in your life?

Eligibility & Guidelines

This Call for Art is open to all artists living in the nine counties served by the Lake Region Arts Council:
Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin counties in west central Minnesota.

• Artists may submit 1 to 3 works of art for consideration.

• All mediums, styles, and themes are welcome!

• 2D artwork must be framed and/or ready to hang.

• Pedestals will be provided for 3D artwork.

How to Apply

The online application portal opens on Monday, July 21, 2025.
Apply here: LRAC Online Application

• New applicants will need to create an account.

• Returning applicants should log in using their previous credentials.

Important Dates

Call Opens: Monday, July 21, 2025
Application Deadline: Monday, August 18th, 2025 | 5:00 PM
Artist Notification: Friday, August 29th, 2025
Exhibition Dates: October 6th – December16th, 2025
Opening Reception: Tuesday, October 7th, 2025 | 5:30 – 7:00 PM

For more information, please visit the LRAC Gallery website or contact:
Naomi RaMona Schliesman, Gallery Curator: gallerycurator4@gmail.com

All Artwork needs to be framed and/or ready to hang for 2D pieces with hanging wire. We have pedestals for 3D artwork. Please fill out the online application located on the LRAC Gallery website page.

Call for Art Information: 888-735-9622

https://lrac4.org/call-for-artists

***New applicants will need to create an account, and returning applicants should use their previous credentials to log on.

https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=lakeregion

 “These activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through Lake Region Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.”

Event Link: https://www.artofthelakes.org/education.html

FEE: $70./$75. Member/Non-Member
 $65./$70. Member/Non-Member Early Bird (by July 10)

Ceramic Birdhouse Wind Chimes with Brad Wegscheid
July 24 & 31, 5-8 pm

​Sculpt and build a ceramic bird house style wind chime. Every garden needs one! No previous skills needed or use skills you already have to make more elaborate projects. Cost covers firing and all materials. Ages adults and youth 16+.

Event Link: https://www.artofthelakes.org/education.html

FEE: $35/$40 Member/Non-Member
$30/$35 Early Bird Member/Non-Member (by July 25) 

Slow Stitching: The Relaxing World of Hand Sewing with Kim Graff
August 8 & 15, 10-12 noon

Yearning for a break from the fast-paced, digital world we live in? In a world where everything seems to be rushing by, there's a charming and therapeutic escape waiting for you in the form of slow stitching. 

Why Slow Stitching?
1.    Mindful Relaxation: Slow stitching is a form of mindfulness. When you're engaged in this gentle activity, your mind calms down, and you become fully immersed in the present moment. It's like a mini vacation for your brain!
2.    Creativity Unleashed: With slow stitching, you have the freedom to let your creativity flow. You can design your projects, choose fabrics, and experiment with different stitches to create unique and personalized items.
3.    Connection to Tradition: Slow stitching has a rich history. It connects you to generations of crafters who used hand sewing to mend, embellish, and create. It's a beautiful way to carry forward a timeless tradition.
4.    Sustainability: In a world of fast fashion and disposable goods, slow stitching promotes sustainability. By repairing and upcycling textiles, you can reduce waste and contribute to an eco-friendlier lifestyle.

Attendees should bring fabric scraps of interest, sewing needles & scissors.